Chinese police raid 18,000 venues in ‘sex capital’ crackdown

"Social Buzz": the number of times this article has been shared across major social media networks

Pic: AP.

BEIJING (AP) — Police say they have raided more than 18,000 entertainment venues in a southern province in the wake of a high-profile state media expose of China’s sex trade in the region.

The TV report on prostitution in the Guangdong province city of Dongguan broadcast over the weekend sparked a much-publicized crackdown across the whole of the wealthy coastal province. Guangdong police said in a statement Thursday that they had arrested 920 people allegedly engaged in prostitution.

The 18,372 premises raided included including singing and dancing venues, saunas and massage parlors.

CCTV’s report on China’s “sex capital” was criticized by many members of the public, who expressed sympathy for the sex workers and suggested Dongguan’s entrenched sex industry couldn’t have survived without the support of police and local authorities.

Subscribe to Asian Correspondent

Receive our weekly round-up of the most important stories in Asia

We will never give away, trade or sell your email address. You can unsubscribe at any time.